Every evening, huge snow groomers turn the snowy slopes into a flawless white carpet. In some ski resorts, passengers can ride on the up to 500 hp vehicles and experience the work of the “heroes of the night” up close. Even driving a snow groomer is allowed in some places! Usually, these monsters start after the official lift closings between 16:00 and 17:00, a journey in the driver’s cab in a completely relaxed fashion is therefore possible after the ski day has ended. It is certainly attractive for many guests, so no previous knowledge is required for the ride. Children of a certain height and above are not required to have any experience in driving a piste bully – except for their driving licence in some cases. Fancy a piste tour of a different kind? SnowTrex has put together a number of offers:
Ski area Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (Austria)
In Serfaus, passengers leave at 16:15 for the panorama restaurant at the Komperdell middle station. In addition to the driver, a maximum of two adults and one child fit in the cockpit. In Fiss, the tour starts directly at the valley station of the Schönjochbahn at the “Pistenbully-Treff-Würfel”. A maximum of three adults and one child are allowed to ride here.
Ski area Lermoos/Grubigstein (Austria)
The Langes mountain railways in Lermoos in the Tyrolean Zugspitz Arena also offer relatively inexpensive rides. The passenger cruises for up to two hours with the snow groomer on the pistes at Grubigstein and can learn interesting facts about the work of the snow groomer drivers. In addition to the price to be paid, a valid lift ticket for the Grubigbahn is required.
Ski area Liftverbund Feldberg
On the Feldberg near Hinterzarten there is a private driving lesson, because only one passenger per machine is allowed on board. From 17:00 you spend one hour on the pistes of the highest mountain of the German low mountain ranges. The mountain railway operator distinguishes between a simple ride on a snow groomer and grooming with a bully.
Ski area Hochzeiger
The 40 kilometres of slopes in the Hochzeiger ski area near Jerzens in Pitztal valley are prepared by a total of six snow groomers. If you want to hop on for about 40 minutes, you should register early, as the places are quickly fully booked.
Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn
In the Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn, the brave can even ride a snow groomer. Even children who are 1.40 m or taller are allowed to drive themselves.
Ski region Montafon-Brandnertal
Only adults are allowed to drive in the Montafon, a minimum age of 10 years is required to ride along. After a theoretical introduction at the Valisera Hüsli, you will go for about an hour on the slopes of the Silvretta-Montafon. For this, each passenger will receive a Pistenbully driving licence and a Pistenbully T-shirt afterwards.
In some ski resorts, the coveted cab seats are fully booked well in advance. It is therefore best for those interested to book their personal snow groomer experience in good time – and the associated ski holiday at the same time.
